Graham stands by comments on Islam

Charlotte Observer ^ | November 19, 2001 | Ken Garfield

[Stand Watch Listen]

But `evil and wicked' quote doesn't cancel Christian love, he says

While saying he is called to love people regardless of their faith, evangelist Franklin Graham on Sunday wouldn't back away from his recent statement on a national news program that Islam "is a very evil and wicked religion."

In a prepared statement released to The Observer through a spokesman, Graham said his Samaritan's Purse ministry in Boone will continue providing millions of dollars in aid to Muslims in need around the world. But he did not take back the controversial comments aired Friday night on "NBC Nightly News" and repeated on cable stations.

Those pieces were based on an interview Graham gave last month near Wilkesboro, at the dedication of a chapel in his parents' name, when he said: "We're not attacking Islam but Islam has attacked us. The God of Islam is not the same God. He's not the son of God of the Christian or Judeo-Christian faith. It's a different God and I believe it is a very evil and wicked religion."

In his prepared statement Sunday, Graham said: "It is not my calling to analyze Islam or any other religions, though I recognize that all religions have differences. In the past, I have expressed my concerns about the teachings of Islam regarding the treatment of women and the killing of non-Muslims or infidels."

Graham, 49, does not plan to comment publicly on the issue, and only will release Sunday's statement in response to questions.

His response comes a day after his ministry's Operation Christmas Child began processing 1 million shoe boxes in Charlotte for needy children overseas - including thousands destined for largely Muslim nations.

His comments were challenged by former Charlottean Ali Akber, who helped organize a meeting between local Jews and Muslims after Sept. 11, before he relocated to Maryland.

"That's spreading hatred," said Akber. "It is the same God. We just don't worship the same way. We all believe in God and charity and worshipping and not doing any evil."

Franklin Graham's views run counter to those expressed on Sept. 17 by President Bush, who called Islam "a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world."

It also stands in contrast to the message delivered by Graham's father at the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance service at the National Cathedral in Washington, on Sept. 14. "We come together today to affirm our conviction that God cares for us, whatever our ethnic, religious or political background may be," Billy Graham preached. "The Bible says that he is `the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.'"

[Anamensis]

I thank my God this is a secular nation. If these fools were allowed free rein, America would become hell on earth.

For once you are near truth: when the religious are in charge, they make hell. Unfortunately for you, all the best examples of how vicious and sickening they can get... are in the Middle East.

[Kevin Curry]

Overall, though, the Koran does not advocate violence or hatred.

I'm sure that will come as a great comfort to the Christians in the Middle East who have converted from Islam.

[Miss Antiwar]

Does anyone have the address to send shoes to Operarion Christmas Child?
This is a good idea........whether you agree with Graham or not.

[CCWoody]

It is unfortunate that two people who ostensibly worship the same God can become divided over issues of faith. The part of Islam that I find most difficult to acept as a westener is the concept of a theocratic state.

Sorry, but neither practicing mormons, muslims, or Jews worship Almighty God:

The haters of the LORD would pretend submission to Him, but their fate would endure forever.

My Lord Jesus, who is God in the flesh, says "whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me." Likewise, whoever denies Him will be denied by Him.

[Kevin Curry]

when the religious are in charge, they make hell.

E.g., Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Hitler, Castro, and Kim Il Sung. Evil religious nuts are the bane of our existence.

[CCWoody]

Does anyone have the address to send shoes to Operarion Christmas Child? This is a good idea........whether you agree with Graham or not.

I have inquired into the "Faith comes by hearing" mission effort. They are in muslim countries right now proclaiming the Good News that God came in the flesh. When a muslim in one of these countries converts, he is very often beaten by his "friends" and "neighbors" or even killed. A muslim converted to a saving relationship with Christ, who has counted all things in this life rubbish and loves God more than his own life, face great persecution. If you like, when I find where to send money I can send you a FRmail.

[babygene]

"From our cultural perspective it is more like paedophilia than rape."

From my cultural perspective, paedophilia IS rape. Your perspective is different?

In this country as well, young women married much younger 200 years ago (middle teen years). In Delaware 30 years ago, 14 year old's could get married without the consent of their parents.

However not at 6 years old to a 50 year old man. That is and always has been a crime in most all non-islamic countries.

[Stand Watch Listen]

Here's a link to the site....

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.asp?section=Operation+Christmas+Child

and

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.asp?section=Operation+Christmas+Child&subsection=How+To+Pack+A+Shoe+Box

[Dan C]

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan's Purse.

Here is the website: Samaritans Purse

[Dan C]

Ok... showing my novice here.

The web address is www.samaritanspurse.org

[ZULU]

Take two aspirins and see a doctor - it sounds serious!

[ZULU]

I'd say paedophilia is probably worse than rape - but then that's probably like comparing crucifiction with hanging, drawing and quartering.

"However not at 6 years old to a 50 year old man. That is and always has been a crime in most all non-islamic countries."

I'm not sure that Islamic countries would view this any differently than we do - most of them anyway.

[Penny1]

According to Muslim belief, both Christians and Jews are "people of the book", as they follow the old Bible upon which Islam is in part based. Accordingly, Christians and Jews are not to be stopped from practising their faith or forcefully converted. This is a distinction Muslims make between the latter and pagans who worship idols. Hence Muslims themselves feel Christians and Jews worship the same God Muslims worship. In a sense they view Christianity and Judaism as an unevolved arrested faith in the same sense that Christians tend to view Judaism or Protestants tned to view Catholicism.

Herein lies much of the problem--"according to Muslim belief" they worship the same God. However, the same thing is often said by those who hold to New Age beliefs. In fact, many New Agers even insist they follow Christ. But when one examines who they believe Christ to be, it is immediately apparent that they do not in fact follow Christ. In the case of Muslims, they follow the writings of Mohammed, someone they insist is a prophet (or "the prophet") of God, yet this prophet is clearly not a true prophet in the Christian or Jewish faith. If one follows the teachings of a "false prophet" then does it not also follow that they in fact follow a "false god?"

I really should know more in order to deal with this question more knowledgeably, but I guess my main point is that we need to learn to be discerning about these issues. Particularly, we need to go beyond the claims of a particular religion and examine the truth of that religion according to the principles and objective truth of our Christian religion in order to determine whether or not the two religions are related.

Also, I think there is more than just the Qu'ran that forms the basis of Islamic beliefs--it's a place to start, but there are other books they follow in addition to that that need to be investigated.

-penny

[kaylar]

It's illegal to bring a Bible into Saudi Arabia. If Jehovah and Allah are the same deity....Why???? Especially if it's for one person's reading, and not to start a study group.

[Mr. Vega]

Interesting note on symbols: the cross is also a fertility symbol (looking like a phallus.) And the fish symbol Christians put on their car (called Pisces Veneris in the Latin) is actually a stylized vagina.